"You could make friends with a rock!"

We used to tease my brother Joe when we were growing up with that statement.  Although I will always say that we really meant it as a compliment. 

You see, my brother is a people person.  He always has been.  We would go on family vacations, camping somewhere, and he would always run off and return with some new friends for us all to play with.  I don't know what it is that he's got, but people like it.  And him.

If he needed anymore evidence to this fact, he got it.  Last weekend.

It's no surprise to anyone that Joe found a wonderful woman who loves him, and before they walk down the isle, boys will do what boys will do and a bachelor party was needed. 

Joe didn't want a fancy dinner or a trip to the casinos or even a night out on the town that ended up spending a lot of one dollar bills. 

He wanted a chance for all his friends to get together, enjoy a few drinks, and spend the evening just hanging out.  My dad smoked some pork, my brother, John, planned the entire shindig and sent out the invite to as many of Joe's friends as he could.

The result.

A little more overwhelming than Joe probably expected. 

There were TONS of people there.  I don't know how many times someone came running into the house and said "Can you believe it?  ____ just got here.  It was so nice of him to come."  The back yard shop was hoppin' with people all night. Different kinds of people from all different times in Joe's life.  They all hung out, enjoyed the company, and celebrated Joe. 

After that night.  No one can argue that Joe has been an important person in so many people's lives. 

He sure has collected a lot of "rocks" over the years. 

:-)